Comparison of the sedative effects of medetomidine and xylazine in horses
Bryant, C.E.; England, G.C.; Clarke, K.W.
Veterinary Record 129(19): 421-423
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 1776221 Document Number: 369464
The sedative effects in horses of the new alpha 2 agonist medetomidine were compared with those of xylazine. Four ponies and one horse were treated on separate occasions with two doses of medetomidine (5 and 10 micro g/kg bodyweight respectively) and with one dose of xylazine (1 mg/kg bodyweight) given by i.v. injection. Medetomidine at 10 micro g/kg was similar to 1 mg/kg xylazine in its sedative effect but produced more severe and more prolonged ataxia, and one animal fell over during the study. Medetomidine at 5 micro g/kg produced less sedation but a similar degree of ataxia to 1 mg/kg xylazine.